One of the new features of the new Regulation on Evaluation, Control and Environmental Monitoring is that category A and B1 environmental diagnostic must be subject to public consultation.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
The Environmental Management Unit at AGEXPORT, wishes to inform the export sector of the publication of Government Agreement 137-2016, Regulations Assessment, Environmental Monitoring and Control, which was published on July 12, 2016 in the newspaper Diario de Centroamérica.
The new head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources believes it is illogical to reduce the cost of an environmental permit from $3,000 to $6 per, which would be applied with the entry into force of a new regulation in May.
Government Agreement 20-2016 published on January 12 in the official newspaper, La Gaceta, makes official the new rules for granting environmental licenses that will apply from May.
The company has said it will invest $30 million in the construction of an environmentally friendly banking building.
"The complex and corporate park is the first building in Guatemala for a financial institution which is registered for LEED certification (acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)", which supports the reduction of environmental impact by reducing energy consumption , water and carbon dioxide emissions, said the CEO of Citi Guatemala, Bernardo Chacin.
Five new buildings are close to attaining LEED certification for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
There are five new buildings in the country that are close to achieving international certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) an evaluation of the use of friendly materials in its construction.
These projects include the Hotel Kawilal in Amatitlan, the Centra Norte in zone 18 of the capital, Terra Esperanza, Puma Energy offices in Pradera zone, the offices of PepsiCo at Platina Tower, and Citi Campus to be built in zone 12 of the capital, said Andrew Prera, president of the Green Building Council in Guatemala.
The National Council of Protected Areas has rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted by Grupo Tomza, for the second time.
On February 2010 the National Protected Areas Council (CONAP) rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the grounds that "in Punta de Manabique there cant be a liquefied gas plant since it is a recovery and conservation area for endangered species... "
The funds are earmarked to improve the penal justice system and consolidate property registry in the Protected Areas.
A press release from the Ministry of Finance reads:
Two important agreements on financial cooperation in support of the Justice and Environmental sectors for a total of $52 million were signed today between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the State of Guatemala, through the Ministry of Finance.
The regulator has still not issued an opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted by Grupo Tomza to build a gas plant in Punta de Manabique.
The new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) presented by the company includes moving the location of the plant by about 500 meters to ensure that the impact on flora and fauna will be temporary and can be mitigated through forestation plans.
On approval of the project, Grupo Tomza will confirm its investment of $ 27.7 million in the construction of the terminal.
The new environmental impact assessment (EIA) submitted by the company, which is currently under consideration, suggests moving the location of the plant by about 500 meters in order to ensure that the impact on flora and fauna will be temporary and can be mitigated by forestation plans .
The program will support the country's strategy for adapting to climate change and the reconstruction plan.
The announcement was made by Gina Montiel, regional general manager for Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in the context of the Donor Conference for Reconstruction with Transformation.
Sigloxxi.com writes, "Montiel said the contribution, whose nature was not explained, adds to the immediate response actions used by the IDB to support the country. The funds were the first announcement made public at the event, which concludes today with expectations of more assistance.”
Part of the Lake Atitlán recovery plan includes the construction of 23 sewage treatment plants.
In coming five months, the Guatemalan government, together with local authorities, will build 13 sewage treatment plants with the remaining 10 scheduled for 2011.
"Ana de Méndez, speaking on behalf of Lake Atitlán's recovery programme "Todos Juntos por el Lago" ("All Together for the Lake"), said an optimal five-year development plan would require investment of around $62.5 million in 2011 alone with additional projects worth $25 million needed to finish the work," reports Sigloxxi.com.
The Government of Guatemala will invest $10 million in water treatment plants in order to save lake Atitlán.
Rafael Espada, Guatemalan Vice President, reported they will reactivate a $10 million trust fund, which was granted 10 years ago by the Inter-American Development Bank, but was not used in the previous administrations.
"In addition to purchasing water treatment plants, the ministries of Agriculture and Environment will execute an awareness campaing amongst nearby population and tourists...", reported EFE.